South-East Asia Regional Conference on Epidemiology

Responding to editorial decisions
Colvin Goonaratna
The most prestigious and second-tier journals receive far more papers than they can publish. Hence,
the rejection rate for the first category will be somewhere between 70% and 90%, and for the second,
between 40% and 70%. The results of research that do not achieve publication are of limited
importance. Two famous epigrams – “Work, finish, publish” (Faraday), and “The object of science is
publication” (Ziman) – epitomize the decisive role of publication in the advancement of science as
well as researchers’ careers. So, it behoves all authors of research papers to perfect as a core skill the
art and craft of responding prudently to editorial decisions if they wish to boost the chances of their
papers being accepted for publication
Operating processes used in selection of papers for publication
There is a wide variation in the processes that journal editors employ to decide which papers to accept
and which to reject. Generally, the chief editor or a couple of associate editors will browse through
all the papers received as an initial screening procedure. Some papers will be rejected at this stage
because they are considered irredeemable. The remainder will be sent along diverse paths that are
determined by the journal’s editorial policies.
Some journals prefer an in-house review system where the papers are reviewed by assistant editors
and editorial board members. Most of the prestigious journals’ editors enjoy the benefit of having
comprehensive lists of external reviewers whose services can be used for practically any kind of paper
the journal may receive.
Several journals now receive, process papers, and communicate with authors as well as manuscript
reviewers entirely online. Some editors request authors to propose, as a matter of journal policy, the
names of two or three reviewers of their choice, of whom the editor may choose one. Some editors
prefer external review by manuscript consultants whose identity will remain unknown to authors,
whereas others may permit an online dialogue between author and reviewer, moderated by the editor
or a designated assistant editor.
It is important for authors to remember that, although widely different operating procedures may be
employed by journals in selection, it is the editor who will communicate the decision and take ultimate
responsibility for it, and it is with him (or her) that the author must communicate.
Criteria applied in selecting papers for publication
Most editors apply at least three of the five criteria given below in choosing papers for publication.
• Trueness, i.e. validity of methodology, evidence supporting the paper’s conclusions and
interpretation of results.